Long Grove celebrates German heritage with festival
Long Grove was founded in the 1850s by immigrants from Germany, and many of the same homes built by those ancestors can be found reincarnated as shops in downtown Long Grove. "We call it yesterday's charm, today's lifestyle," said Kelley Happ, spokeswoman for the Long Grove Business and Community Partners. "While there are antique buildings, there are contemporary things in all the shops."
To celebrate its founders and German heritage, the historic town his hosting an OktoberFest Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19.
The weekend will include food, German dancing, live entertainment, carriage rides, pumpkin decorating and, of course, beer.
Both days will also include a scarecrow scavenger hunt, and there will be a drawing for a $250 gas card at Mel's Marathon gas station 3 p.m. Sunday.
The festival started out as a smaller community activity to unite Long Grove residents.
"We're going to try to make it bigger than last year," Happ said. "It started out as a hometown party, but a lot of other people came. So we'll let everyone appreciate the cute little downtown that we have."
Happ said the weather is supposed to stay warm this weekend, which will make OktoberFest a good last chance to enjoy the outdoors before it turns cold.
"It really is going to be a tribute to the German heritage," Happ said.
Long Grove OktoberFest
Takes place downtown, at Robert Parker Coffin and Old McHenry roads. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com.
SATURDAY
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, Artist at Heart
10 a.m. to 5 pm. Pumpkin Patch and Monster Crafts, Towner Green
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fire Safety Festival to Benefit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance's Burn Camp, Long Grove Fire Station
11 a.m. "Ullrich" ceremonial keg tapping, live music, beer and wine tasting, Village Tavern
Noon to 5 p.m. Pumpkin decorating, face painting, kids' activities, family area
Noon to 7 p.m. Brats, beer, wine and entertainment, Fountain Square
1 p.m. Egerlander Folk German dancers, Family area
1:30 to 5 p.m. Wine tasting, Red Oaks
2 p.m. Tom Swenson and Elise Steglinski, Fountain Square
2 p.m. Kildeer-Countryside School Concert, Apple Haus Square
3 p.m. Back Porch Moon, Beans & Leaves Square
4 p.m. Horst's German Band, Fountain Square
6:30 p.m. Outdoor movie "Abott & Costello Meet Frankenstein," followed by Haunted Trail Walk, Towner Green
6:30 pm. R.J. Express, Village Tavern
SUNDAY
11 a.m. Gospel Brunch, Beans & Leaves Cafe
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, Artist at Heart
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pumpkin Patch and Monster Crafts, Towner Green
11 a.m. Ullrich OktoberFest, Village Tavern
Noon to 4 p.m. Horsedrawn carriage rides through Historic Business District
Noon to 5 p.m. Pumpkin decorating, face painting and kids' activities, family area
Noon to 5 p.m. 50th anniversray display by the Lake County Forest Preserve District
Noon to 7 p.m. Brats, beer, wine and entertainment, Fountain Square
1 p.m. Egerlander Folk Dance group, family area
2 p.m. Tom Swenson and Elise Steglinski, Fountain Square
2 p.m. "The Frog Guy" storyteller, Apple Haus Square
2:30 p.m. Jimmy Liggett, Beans & Leaves Cafe
3 p.m. $250 gas card drawing, Mel's Marathon Mini Mart
4 p.m. Horst's German Band, Fountain Square
5 p.m. Roger & Jerry, OktoberFest Table Contest drawing, Village Tavern